Skubal returned from elbow surgery as one of baseball’s best pitchers in the second half of last season, and he hasn’t slowed down in 2024. The lefty began the season 6-0 with a 1.80 ERA and league-best 0.78 WHIP in his first nine starts. He will earn only $2.65 million this season.

Washington won the World Series in the first season of Corbin’s six-year, $140 million contract, but he’s gone downhill since the first year. Corbin has led the NL in losses in three consecutive seasons and has a 5.73 ERA since 2020. The contract expires after this season, but Corbin will make nearly $35.5 million in 2024.

Garrett has been a revelation in the Mets bullpen, seeing a breakout at age 31 by starting the year 5-0 with a 0.79 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 22.2 innings. He’s earning the league minimum of about $700,000 in the process.

The Angels made headlines after signing Stephenson to a three-year, $33 million contract after the improvement he showed with the Rays last season. However, Stephenson suffered a shoulder injury during Spring Training and tore his elbow ligament during rehab. The result is Tommy John surgery and the possibility of Stephenson being on the shelf for half the contract. He will make $11 million this season.

Miller’s emergence in 2023 was impressive, but the team moved him to the bullpen this year in an attempt to keep him health. So far, so good for the A’s and Miller, who has been the talk of baseball early this season with a 0.98 ERA, eight saves, and 38/5 K/BB in 18.1 innings with a triple-digit fastball. He will make the league minimum this season.

Replacing Felix Bautista has been a rough endeavor for the O’s. They hoped Kimbrel could do the job given his track record, signing him for $13 million this season. However, he has struggled this season with a 3.86 ERA and five walks per nine innings, often being deployed as a middle reliever early in the year.

The Braves might regret trading Contreras before the 2023 season, as he’s been one of the game’s best players since joining Milwaukee. Contreras is arguably the NL MVP of the early 2024 season, hitting .353-6-34 with a .973 OPS while playing excellent defense. He won’t be eligible for arbitration until after this season and now earns the league minimum salary.

McCann received a four-year, $40.6 million contract from the Mets prior to the 2021 season, but has done very little on the field over that time. Traded to the Orioles last season, McCann has a .614 OPS during the life of the contract and serves as Adley Rutschman‘s backup. He is earning $12.15 million this season, with $9.5 million paid by the Mets.

The Cubs are happy with Busch as their starting first baseman after acquiring him from the Dodgers in the offseason. The former top prospect got off to a hot start and had seven homers and a .793 OPS through 43 games while earning the league minimum.

Bryant got a seven-year, $182 million contract from the Rockies in 2022, but appeared in a total of only 135 games with the team through mid-May, 2024. His performance has been just as disappointing with a .720 OPS despite the help of Coors Field. Bryant earns $28 million this season.

Stott moved over from shortstop to second base when the Phillies signed Trea Turner in 2023, and his offense has taken off since the move. After hitting .280-15-62 with 31 steals and a .747 OPS last season, Stott has taken another step forward early this season, hitting .281-4-28 with 12 steals and an .842 OPS in his first 41 games, and is earning the league minimum.

McNeil has seen his share of struggles since signing a four-year, $50 million contract extension in 2023. After winning the NL Batting Title in 2022, McNeil hit only .270-10-55 with a .711 OPS last season, and he’s off to a slower start this year, hitting .232-1-8 with a .614 OPS through 43 games played. He’s making $10.25 million this year before a significant salary increase next season.

Westburg handled MLB pitching well in his 2023 debut, but he’s taken his game to another level this season. The former first-round pick is hitting .295-7-29 with an .869 OPS while sharing time between third base and second base. The young infielder is earning the league minimum salary.

The Angels have handed out plenty of bad contracts in recent years, and Rendon could be their worst. He signed a seven-year, $245 million contract in 2020, but has played a total of only 219 games so far. Rendon is injured again in 2024 after playing only 19 games, but will make nearly $38.6 million this season.

Henderson is one of baseball’s best young players, winning AL Rookie of the Year in 2023 after hitting .255-29-82 with a .814. He’s made his home at shortstop for the O’s, and is off to a great start in 2024 league the league with 13 home runs through 42 games. Henderson still earns the league minimum salary.

Baez was a two-time All-Star with the Cubs earlier in his career, but his numbers have collapsed since signing a six-year, $140 million contract with Detroit in 2022. The aggressive hitter has a .616 OPS in a Tigers uniform and was hitting .185-1-18 with a .470 OPS through 38 games this year. Baez makes $25 million this season.

Kwan’s power is limited, but his contact-hitting ability, speed, and elite defense have made him a great find for Cleveland. He led the AL in batting average before injuring his hamstring early this season and has also won back-to-back Gold Gloves. Kwan is earning the league minimum salary this season.

Benintendi was an All-Star in 2022 but has struggled since joining the White Sox last season. He signed a five-year, $75 million contract before posting a .682 OPS last season, and his OPS was only .503 through 40 games this season. Benintendi makes $17.1 million this season.

Doyle came up last season as an all-defensive center fielder, winning a Gold Glove but struggling at the plate. His entire game has been working for him this season, hitting .274-5-13 with eight steals and a .786 OPS through 43 games while continuing to play exemplary defense. Doyle earns the league minimum salary.

Buxton signed a seven-year, $100 million extension with the Twins in 2022, but has struggled since injuries. He was stuck at DH in 2023, posting a .731 OPS in 85 games. The injuries continued early this year, and Buxton had a .691 OPS in 28 games before going on the IL. He is making just over $15.1 million during each season of the contract.

Tucker isn’t exactly cheap, making $12 million this season. However, he’s one of the favorites to win AL MVP with his incredible start to the season, hitting .288-13-29 with a 1.015 OPS through 44 games.

Springer showed decline last season, and the wheels have started to fall off early in 2024. He’s hit only .196-3-6 with a .558 OPS through 39 games played. Now in the fourth season of a six-year deal, Springer is earning more than $24.1 million this season.

De La Cruz has seen the majority of his playing time at designated hitter this season, and done a solid job for the lowly Marlins. He’s hit .257-9-25 with a .760 OPS through 46 games played while earning the league minimum.

Colorado has shown admirable loyalty to Blackmon, but he’s overpaid now that he’s nearing the end of his career. Blackmon is making $13 million this season but has started the year hitting only .239-1-18 in 37 games played.